Percussion instrument

ABSTRACT

A percussion instrument comprising an annular rim having a plurality of openings distributed around the wall thereof, a plurality of jingles within said openings, a soundboard comprising a relatively large flat member fastened across one end of said rim and covering only a given portion of the available surface area enclosed by said one end of said rim, a plurality of markings in the uppermost surface of said soundboard, and a handhold means defined on said rim at a circumferential region of said rim.

United States Patent Ho'ey Dec. 18, 1973 1 1 PERCUSSION INSTRUMENT Primary Examiner-Richard B Wilkins Assistant ExaminerPat Salce 75 l t:FdA.H ,s At ,T. 1 Men or re oey an n Omo ex Attorney-Sidney G. Faber et a1. [73] Assignee: C. Bruno & Son, Inc., Melville, NY.

[22] Filed: July 17, 1972 [57] ABSTRACT PP 272,300 A percussion instrument comprising an annular rim having a plurality of openings distributed around the [52 1 U S 84/418 wall thereof, a plurality of jingles within said openings, [51 1 In. .Cl 13/02 Soundboard Comprising a relatively large flat mem [58] Fieid 84/418 414 ber fastened across one end of said rim and covering only a given portion of the available surface area en- [56] References Cited closed by said one end of said rim, a plurality of markings in the uppermost surface of said soundboard, and UNKTED STATES PATENTS a hand-hold means defined on said rim at a circumfer- Brick ,ential region of aid rim 636,848 11/1899 Richards 84/418 9 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures mzncussrou INSTRUMENT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION For popular and symphonic work, it is often necessary for a percussionist to play two different instruments at one time to produce a desired effect. Tambourines and guiros are two examples of percussion instruments which produce distinctive sound and which may be used individually, or simultaneously, depending upon the score being played and the available instrumentalists.

Most tambourines have uninterrupted heads, such as tacked-on skin heads, tacked-n plastic heads or tunable or replaceable plastic heads which cover one end of a circular rim. Pairs of relatively movable discs, known as jingles, are mounted at spaced locations within or around the rim. However, such tambourines are sensitive to atmospheric conditions and the tension of the skin undergoes changes due to the contraction orexpansion in response to weather, humidity, air conditioning in night clubs, rain and the like. As a result, the sound produced is affected by the resistance or lack of resistance of theskin or plastic head. Alternatively, many rock music groups use headless tambourines which produce particular rock effects.

The guiro is a basic Latin-Brazilian-African instrument a gourd played with a scratcher or scraper. Authentic gourds used as guiros become worm-eaten, generally do no hold up under extensive use, and often develop a distinctive odor. Sometimes the guiro is made of a hollow wooden cylinder, pointed at each end, with scratches or serrations on the upper half of the cylinder. The standard guiro is awkward to hold and play because the user must cramp his hand between two holes therein. Additionally, the guiro produces only one type of sound.

The percussion instrument of the present invention combines the best aspects of the tambourine and the guiro together with other advantages described below, and also allows the percussionist to achieve tambourine and guiro sounds simultaneously.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION available surface area enclosed by said one end of said rim, the soundboard having a plurality of markings on the outside (uppermost) surface thereof.

The composite instrument thus provided displays the musical effects of both the tambourineand the guiro as well as some effects which cannot be achieved by either such instrument. The rim-mounted jingles which, in the preferred embodiment, are mounted within openings distributed around the rim, provide the tambourine characteristics of the instrument. The soundboard, which is preferably constituted of wood, both enhances the tambourine sound as compared with conventional soft heads, and provides the guiro characteristics of the instrument in a manner superior to the natural gourd. Tambourine and guiro instrumental effects may be blended simultaneously in a manner not possible with separate instruments.

The configurations of the individual components of the composite instrument are not, of course, limited to those illustrated in the preferred embodiment discussed hereinafter. Thus, other tambourine shapes may be employed, e.g., the Brazilian type incorporating inside jingle arrangements mounted to the rim on separate lugs may be utilized in the composite instrument hereof. Alternatively, while as noted below the use of a single, crescent-shaped soundboard mounted on one end of the rim of the instrument is preferred, the number, location and configuration of the soundboard(s) may be varied in accordance with the intended application. Thus, it should be understood that the preferred embodiment described below is illustrative only.

Accordingly, it is the object of this invention to provide a percussion instrument capable of producing a variety of musical sounds, which is easily held by the percussionist, which is not affected by atmospheric conditions or aging, and which is easy to manufacture. These and other objects of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the top of the percussion instrument of this invention; and

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bottom of the percussion instrument of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The percussion instrument of the present invention as shown in the Figures has an annular rim 1, usually a circular rim, which has a plurality of openings 2 distributed around the wall thereof. Mounted within openings 2 are a plurality of sound producing objects or jingles 3, e.g., thin metallic discs.

One end 4 of said rim 1 is completely open. On the other'end 5 of said rim 1, a soundboard, generally designated as 6, is fastened. Soundboard 6 is a relatively thin, flat, solid member and is preferably constructed of wood. Soundboard 6 covers only a given portion of the available surface area enclosed by end 5. As can be seen in FIG. 1, soundboard 6 has a crescent shape. The outer diameter 7 of the crescent-shape is co-extensive for its full length with a portion of the outer diameter of end 5. The inner diameter of the crescent-shaped soundboard 6 has the same direction of curvature as the direction of curvature of outer diameter 7. In general, the outer diameter 7 will extend over an are between and 270 of the circle defined by rim 1. As a result, about two-thirds of end 5, having a general oval shape defined by inner diameter 8 and that portion of rim 1 not covered by outer diameter 7, is open and the remaining portion of end 5 is covered by soundboard 6.

By way of example, one soundboard which has been successfully utilized is composed of maple, has a thickness of about three-sixteenths inch, an outer diameter 7 of about 10 inches, and an inner diameter 8 of about 3 inches.

A plurality of scores, scratches, serrations or other markings 9 lie in the uppermost surface of soundboard 6. Markings 9 are usually in the form of straight, parallel scores, spaced by about one-eighth inch peak-topeak, and extend from outer diameter 7 to inner diameter 8.

The percussion instrument is preferably further provided with hand-hold means 10 on rim 1. Hand-hold means 10 is located at a circumferential region of rim 1 which is not covered by soundboard 6. In the instrument shown in these Figures, rim 1 has a given height (h), and hand-hold means 10 comprises a portion of the rim having a reduced height (h') formed by cutting opposing arcuate segments in the ends 4 and 5 of rim 1. It will be understood, of course, that the hand-hold means could also be formed by an aperture in rim 1 if so desired. There are no jingles 3 in the handhold region of rim 1.

In the preferred embodiment shown in the Figures, the markings 9 in the soundboard are parallel to a line connecting the central portion of hand-hold means 10 and the point on the inner diameter 8 of the soundboard furthest removed from said central point in the hand-hold means 10.

The percussion instrument of the present invention provides numerous advantages, whether used as a concert tambourine, a guiro, or as a combination of a concert tambourine and guiro.

As a concert tambourine, playing with a palm to soundboard method can be accomplished without the sound being affected by changing atmospheric conditions. The wood soundboard enhances the sound which is crisp, steady and causes the jingles to produce sharp, clear, tinkling sounds. There is also more jingle or tinkling characteristics in the present instrument because of the lack of overtone or hum which is created by skin or synthetic heads of conventional tambourines. The sound resulting when the instrument is played against the knee and the hand to give fast staccato passages is markedly improved because of the definite stiffness and resistance of the wood soundboard, as compared to the sound resulting when a soft or pliable head is used.

Very often, when performing symphonic works .or modern compositions, tambourines are played with a wet thumb technique. In this technique, the thumb is previously moistened and rubbed against the head. Friction between the thumb and head activates the jingles. This technique in conventional tambourines is entirely dependent upon the frictional characteristics of the head, and if the tension on the head is reduced, the technique is sometimes impossible. This technique can always be used in connection'with the device of this invention with improved sounds due to the serrations, scratches or grooves on the soundboard.

Mambo, Bossanova and other Latin-American music which use the hand, thumb and sometimes the palm, are greatly improved because of the rigidity and quick response of the solid soundboard of the present invention.

Additionally, the full hand-to-hand method is greatly improved by the elimination of the thumbhold found in most tambourines and even in headless tambourines. It has been necessary to insert the thumb in a hold to play the conventional tambourine when ahead is attached. in the instrument of the present invention, the soundboard is shaped to allow gripping with the full hand, thereby enabling the percussionist to perform with much more dexterity, much more flexibility, and in full dynamic levels (piano to forte) without having his thumb in a cramped and sometimes painful position.

Only one type of sound can be realized with a guiro. The invention, on the other hand, permits a variety of musical sounds in different pitches, depending on the size and shape of the soundboard. For example, if a scratcher or scraper is used, and scratched-scraped on an interior diameter of the crescent, i.e., near inner diameter 8, a definite pitch is established. If the scratcher-scraper is played on the outside of the crescent, i.e., near outer diameter 7, a definite pitch about a musical third higher than the inside pitch results. If the instrument is played in the center of the crescent, a definite musical interval is established at about one and a half musical steps, which is the pure guiro sound and which is controlled by the angle at which the instrument is held so as not to activate the jingles.

By changing the angle of the plane of the soundboard relative to the ground, and by using scratcher-scrapers of different weights, a performer can create combinations of a guiro sound and jingle activation thereby obtaining a combined coordinated sound of a tambourine and guiro. This perfectly coordinated sound coming from two different instruments activated by one person cannot be duplicated by two individual players, one playing the tambourine and the other playing the guiro. Also, because of its clarity and definition, the perfectly coordinated musical sounds can be used to great advantage for recordings.

Last but not least, the solid wooden soundboard imparts improved structural rigidity to the instrument as compared with the flexible natural or synthetic heads conventionally employed. The more firmly braced structure provided thus exhibits improved durability as compared with previously available tambourines and guiros.

Various changes and modifications can be made in the percussion instrument of this invention without departing from the spirit and the scope thereof. The various embodiments of the invention disclosed herein serve to further illustrate the invention, but are not intended to limit it.

I claim:

1. A percussion instrument comprising:

a. an annular rim;

b. a plurality of jingles mounted to the annular rim;

and

c. at least one soundboard comprising a relatively thin, flat, solid member fastened across one end of said rim and covering only a given portion of the available surface area enclosed by said one end of said rim; said soundboard having a plurality of serrations on the outside surface thereof.

2. The percussion instrument of claim 1 wherein the soundboard is wood.

3. The percussion instrument of claim 1 wherein the serrations on said soundboard are parallel to eac other.

4. The percussion instrument of claim 1 wherein the jingles are mounted within openings distributed around the wall of said annular rim.

5. The percussion instrument of claim 1 further ineluding hand-hold means defined on said rim at a circumferential region thereof.

6. The percussion instrument of claim 5 wherein said hand-hold means is located at about the middle of the portion of the circumference of said rim to which the soundboard is not fastened, and wherein the serrations on the soundboard are parallel to one another and to a line connecting the middle of said hand-hold means and the furthest point therefrom on the inner diameter of the soundboard.

7. A percussion instrument comprising:

c. a wooden soundboard comprising a relatively thin,

flat, solid member fastened across one end of said rim and covering only a given portion of the available surface area enclosed by said one end of said rim;

d. a plurality of serrations on the uppermost surface of said soundboard; and

e. hand-hold means defined on said rim at a circumferential region of said rim.

8. A percussion instrument comprising:

a. an annular rim;

b. a plurality of jingles mounted to the annular rim;

and

c. at least one soundboard comprising a relatively thin, flat, solid member fastened across one end of said rim and covering only a given portion of the available surface area enclosed by said one end of said rim; said soundboard having a plurality of serrations on the outside surface thereof, said soundboard having a crescent shape, the outer diameter of said crescent shape being co-extensive for its full length with a portion of the outer diameter of said one end of said rim, said crescent shape having an inner diameter having the same direction of curvature as the direction of curvature of its said outer diameter, thereby to define a general oval aperture through said one end of said rim.

9. A percussion instrument comprising:

a. an annular rim;

b. a plurality of jingles mounted to the annular rim;

c. at least one soundboard comprising a relatively thin, flat, solid member fastened across one end of said rim and covering only a given portion of the available surface area enclosed by said one end of said rim; said soundboard having a plurality of serrations on the outside surface thereof; and

d. hand-hold means defined on said rim at a circumferential region thereof, said rim having a given height and said hand-hold means being a region of reduced height of the circumference of the rim to which no jingles are mounted. 

1. A percussion instrument comprising: a. an annular rim; b. a plurality of jingles mounted to the annular rim; and c. at least one soundboard comprising a relatively thin, flat, solid member fastened across one end of said rim and covering only a given portion of the available surface area enclosed by said one end of said rim; said soundboard having a plurality of serrations on the outside surface thereof.
 2. The percussion instrument of claim 1 wherein the soundboard is wood.
 3. The percussion instrument of claim 1 wherein the serrations on said soundboard are parallel to each other.
 4. The percussion instrument of claim 1 wherein the jingles are mounted within openings distributed around the wall of said annular rim.
 5. The percussion instrument of claim 1 further including hand-hold means defined on said rim at a circumferential region thereof.
 6. The percussion instrument of claim 5 wherein said hand-hold means is located at about the middle of the portion of the circumference of said rim to which the soundboard is not fastened, and wherein the serrations on the soundboard are parallel to one another and to a line connecting the middle of said hand-hold means and the furthest point therefrom on the inner diameter of the soundboard.
 7. A percussion instrument comprising: a. an annular rim having a plurality of openings distributed around the wall thereof; b. a plurality of jingles within said openings; c. a wooden soundboard comprising a relatively thin, flat, solid member fastened across one end of said rim and covering only a given portion of the available surface area enclosed by said one end of said rim; d. a plurality of serrations on the uppermost surface of said soundboard; and e. hand-hold means defined on said rim at a circumferential region of said rim.
 8. A percussion instrument comprising: a. an annular rim; b. a plurality of jingles mounted to the annular rim; and c. at least one soundboard comprising a relatively thin, flat, solid member fastened across one end of said rim and covering only a given portion of the available surface area enclosed by said one end of said rim; said soundboard having a plurality of serrations on the outside surface thereof, said soundboard having a crescent shape, the outer diameter of said crescent shape being co-extensive for its full length with a portion of the outer diameter of said one end of said rim, said crescent shape having an inner diameter having the same direction of curvature as the direction of curvature of its said outer diameter, thereby to define a general oval aperture through said one end of said rim.
 9. A percussion instrument comprising: a. an annular rim; b. a plurality of jingles mounted to the annular rim; c. at least one soundboard comprising a relatively thin, flat, solid member fastened across one end of said rim and covering only a given portion of the available surface area enclosed by said one end of said rim; said soundboard having a plurality of serrations on the outside surface thereof; and d. hand-hold means defined on said rim at a circumferential region thereof, said rim having a given height and said hand-hold means being a region of reduced height of the circumference of the rim to whIch no jingles are mounted. 